IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi’s remarks contradict assertions from Israel and US President Donald Trump
According to Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the organization has discovered no proof of Iran engaging in a “systematic effort” to develop a nuclear weapon.
Israel commenced airstrikes on Iran on Friday, claiming the nation was on the verge of producing a nuclear bomb. Since then, both parties have engaged in reciprocal attacks.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump stated his belief that Tehran was “very close” to acquiring a nuclear weapon, a sentiment that diverged from earlier declarations by his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, who affirmed Iran “is not building” such a weapon. Iranian officials maintain their nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and assert their right to continue it.
Speaking with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday, Grossi observed that at present, “there is a contest over who is incorrect or correct regarding the timeframe that would be necessary” for Iran to create a nuclear bomb.
“Assuredly, it would not happen tomorrow, perhaps not even within years,” he remarked.
While Iranians might possess sufficient enriched uranium, transforming it into a nuclear weapon necessitates technology and comprehensive testing, as the IAEA chief clarified.
The UN watchdog, having inspected Iran’s nuclear facilities for over two decades, “lacked… any evidence of a systematic drive to develop a nuclear weapon” by Iran, he conveyed.
“Our statements are based on what we have been able to substantiate. The material exists. In the past, certain activities linked to nuclear weapons development occurred, but we currently do not possess these particular elements,” Grossi emphasized.
One day prior to Israel’s initial offensive against Iran, the IAEA adopted a resolution asserting Tehran’s non-compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation commitments. The agency also highlighted that Iran had “repeatedly” failed to demonstrate that its nuclear material was not being rerouted for military-grade enrichment.
Last weekend, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced that Tehran would curtail its collaboration with the IAEA because of the agency’s unwillingness to denounce Israel’s assaults on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He characterized the UN watchdog’s behavior as “illogical.”